Carrie Underwood, known for her powerhouse country vocals, has always had a deep affection for rock music—a love that may come as a surprise to some of her fans. Growing up in a traditional, religious household, it wasn’t always easy to embrace her passion for the heavier, more rebellious side of music. But despite the odds, Underwood’s heart has always been drawn to the electric pulse of rock, and one of her biggest influences has been none other than the legendary Ozzy Osbourne.
In a 2023 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Underwood took the stage not only to perform two of her own hits, “Blown Away” and “She Don’t Know,” but also to pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne with a stunning cover of his iconic hit, “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The heartfelt ballad, written by Osbourne about his wife Sharon, was a perfect match for Underwood’s soaring vocals, and she delivered it with both reverence and raw emotion.
A Teenage Rock Fan
Underwood’s admiration for Osbourne dates back to her teenage years when she was first discovering her musical identity. “I very much remember being a teenager discovering my own musical taste, and my mom being very much against me listening to Ozzy,” she confessed during the interview. “I feel like you need to listen to some of these lyrics because it’s not all darkness. There are some love songs and things that are a lot more melodic and sweet.”
Ozzy’s music, known for its dark and often gritty lyrics, carried with it a sense of mystery and magic that captivated Underwood. Her reflections on his distinctive sound, saying, “He’s got a thing, and he sounds a certain way, and it is very distinguishable,” show just how much she appreciates the uniqueness of his music, and how he’s remained consistent throughout the years.
Respect and Connection with the Osbournes
One of the most touching moments of Underwood’s tribute came when she shared her process of paying respect to the original artists before covering their songs. “If I cover a song on tour, I always want to reach out to the original artist to make sure they would be okay with it,” Underwood explained. “For the performance that day, we did reach out to the Osbournes. Sharon was very, very sweet about it.”
This respect for the Osbourne family is heartwarming, especially knowing the deep bond that exists between Ozzy and his wife, Sharon, who stood by him through thick and thin—right up until his passing on July 22, 2025.
A Powerful Performance
During her Howard Stern Show performance, Underwood’s rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” resonated deeply with the audience, particularly Stern, who was so moved by the song that he asked her and her band to sing the harmonies again. It was clear that Underwood’s voice was the perfect vessel for this heartfelt tribute to one of rock’s most iconic voices.
The powerful ballad, originally released in 1991, was a love letter from Ozzy to Sharon, and Underwood’s rendition breathed new life into the song. With her country-infused style, she made the rock ballad uniquely her own while still honoring its roots.
Watch Carrie Underwood’s Tribute
Carrie Underwood’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne proves just how versatile and heartfelt she is as an artist. Her ability to seamlessly blend country and rock influences is a testament to her diverse talents and wide-reaching musical tastes. For fans of both Underwood and Osbourne, this performance was a moment to cherish—a beautiful blending of two worlds that have shaped music history.
Catch Underwood’s unforgettable performance of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” below and share the magic of this incredible cover.
